Graffiti Targeting Angela Rayner Removed After Resident Foots the Bill

Published: 06 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A resident in Hove has paid for the removal of graffiti outside the flat of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, which appeared earlier this week branding her a “tax evader” and using offensive language. The graffiti emerged on a white wall outside Ms Rayner’s £800,000 seaside property following revelations that she had not paid the correct amount of stamp duty on the home.

Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed the removal, citing security concerns and their policy on offensive graffiti. Sussex Police are treating the incident as criminal damage and have been in contact with Ms Rayner to address any ongoing concerns.

Ms Rayner, who resigned as deputy prime minister, housing secretary, and deputy Labour leader on Friday, strongly condemned the graffiti. Her spokesperson described the act as “totally unjustifiable” and emphasized that neither she nor her neighbours should face harassment or intimidation.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s office also expressed condemnation of the vandalism, stating that, while parliamentary scrutiny is normal, targeting private homes is unacceptable. Local MP Peter Kyle, recently appointed Business and Trade Secretary, added that Hove residents should express concerns through proper channels rather than defacing property.

The controversy arose after The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms Rayner may have avoided £40,000 in stamp duty by removing her name from the deeds of another property in Greater Manchester. Ms Rayner explained in a statement that the arrangement involved a trust set up for her teenage son with lifelong disabilities, ensuring the security of his first home after her divorce in 2023. She maintained that she did not own another property when purchasing the Hove flat and acted on legal advice at the time.

Following the media scrutiny, she sought further specialist tax counsel, which highlighted additional stamp duty liabilities linked to the trust arrangement. In her resignation letter to Sir Keir Starmer, Ms Rayner expressed deep regret for not seeking further tax advice sooner.